preliminary 1 of 2

as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

preliminary

2 of 2

noun

as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preliminary
Adjective
The federal agency can then seek preliminary approval after sharing approximately 30% of the design drawings, followed by final approval after sharing about 70% of the designs. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025 The organization filed a lawsuit in April and a motion for preliminary injunction in May on behalf of 12 students and their families seeking to declare the enforcement of the executive orders unconstitutional. Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025 The women’s steeplechase preliminaries begin Sept. 15 with the finals to follow on Sept. 17. Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
  • Pacific Ridge School, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school in Carlsbad, started its 19th academic year with the Annual Trustee Dinner.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Those preparatory projects included the installation of new capping roofs to weatherproof the buildings for a long period of care and maintenance, as well as the rerouting of electrical supplies and de-planting of boiler equipment.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The campaign to defund the arts, capture our museums, and rewrite our history is a prelude to silencing dissent itself.
    Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Maduro, meanwhile, has framed the buildup as a prelude to invasion and praised Venezuela’s readiness to defend its sovereignty.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Onward and upward By the end of its introductory episodes, Dispatch has successfully employed the traditional two-part pilot structure most sitcoms need to lay their groundwork.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on preliminary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!